System for cultivating plants or vegetables

ABSTRACT

A system for cultivating plants or vegetables, includes a carrier for holding trays accommodating the plants or vegetables, the carrier having an interior formed by a bottom and raised edges extending circumferentially along the bottom to form a container for holding a liquid for cultivating plants or vegetables, and an opening arranged at the bottom; a frame to support the carrier; a supply duct for supplying the liquid towards the carrier, the supply duct arranged at least partly under the carrier; a sprayer device which is at one end fluidly connected to the supply duct and which is at the other provided with a nozzle to direct a flow of liquid to the interior of the carrier; wherein the sprayer device is arranged through the opening of the carrier, the nozzle protruding into the interior of the carrier when the carrier is positioned on the frame.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a system for cultivating plants or vegetables, the system comprising a carrier for holding trays accommodating the plants or vegetables to be cultivated, the carrier having an interior formed by a bottom and raised edges extending circumferentially along the bottom to form a container for holding a liquid for cultivating plants or vegetables.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the art, such carriers are used for holding a layer of a liquid, such as water optionally provided with ingredients to stimulate cultivating of plants or vegetables. Such carrier is a container for holding one or more trays in which the plants or vegetables are locating, the trays resting on the bottom of the carrier or floating on the water surface. To achieve the best cultivating conditions, a root portion growing out of a ball of earth needs to be above the water surface at a constant distance.

Such a system is in general well known in the field of application. To achieve the highest degree of capacity utilization of the carrier, the plants or vegetables are positioned in a pattern in which each plant is spaced apart from its neighboring plant, for example at each 140 mm. Independent from the payload, it is a further goal to cover the carrier with a maximum of plants to prevent light from shining on the water which stimulates the cultivation of alga. To prevent the presence of alga in the carrier from affecting the cultivation of the plants or vegetables, the system is normally provided with a means for circulating the water through the carrier. In a more preferred situation, the water needs to be refreshed on a periodical basis. Therefore, the carrier is equipped with an inlet and outlet device arranged at the bottom of the carrier. Both the inlet and the outlet device is affecting the pattern and which reduces the degree of capacity utilization of the carrier, which is a drawback of such devices.

It is an object of the invention to provide a system which alleviates this drawback.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a system for cultivating plants or vegetables, the system comprising:

-   -   a carrier for holding trays accommodating the plants or         vegetables to be cultivated, the carrier having an interior         formed by a bottom and raised edges extending circumferentially         along the bottom to form a container for holding a liquid for         cultivating plants or vegetables, and an opening arranged at the         bottom;     -   a frame to support the carrier;     -   a supply duct for supplying the liquid towards the carrier, the         supply duct arranged at least partly under the carrier;     -   a sprayer device which is at one end fluidly connected to the         supply duct and which is at the other provided with a nozzle to         direct a flow of liquid to the interior of the carrier;

wherein the sprayer device is arranged through the opening of the carrier when positioned on the frame. Advantageous embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention concerns a system for cultivating plants or vegetables according to claim 1. To this end, the carrier is provided with one opening for a presence of both the inlet and the outlet of the liquid to be circulated through the carrier, rather than two openings. In other words, the system according to the invention provides a solution to reduce the number of openings present in the bottom of the carrier, thereby allowing an improved degree of capacity utilization of the carrier compared to the carrier having a first opening for the inlet and a second opening for the outlet. Having obtained the improved degree of capacity utilization of the carrier, an improved coverage with a maximum of plants is also achieved thereby reducing the cultivation of alga since the light to shine on the water is covered accordingly.

In an embodiment, a discharge duct is arranged partly locating under the opening, the discharge duct having an open top at least at a portion of it locating under the opening for receiving discharged liquid from the carrier flowing through the opening, the opening being confined by its edge, the opening allowing a clearance between the sprayer device and the edge so as to discharge the liquid via the opening towards the discharge duct. In this way, the opening provides an outlet means or a drain to flow the liquid at least partly along the sprayer device, towards the discharge duct locating under the opening.

In an embodiment, the supply duct and the discharge duct are, from the opening and along at least a portion along their longitudinal direction, arranged parallel to each other, the supply duct extending over the discharge duct so as the discharge duct to receive the liquid from the opening. In this way, the liquid flowing along the sprayer device which is leaking or adhering via the outer wall of the supply duct along a lower part of the supply duct in the form of droplets, may be received in the discharge duct to further convey and remove the liquid.

In an embodiment, the nozzle is oriented in such a way as to direct a flow of liquid from the supply duct to an exterior side of the sprayer device, the flow of liquid being substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the discharge duct, so as to cause the flow of liquid falling into the discharge duct when the carrier is absent and so as to cause the flow of liquid falling into the carrier when the carrier is present on the frame. In this way, a flow of liquid leaving the nozzle is directed along the longitudinal direction of the discharge duct, which flow may be received for the greatest part by the discharge duct wherein spilling of liquid is rather limited and typical only droplets and spatters around the discharge duct may be expected.

In an embodiment, the nozzle is oriented in such a way with respect to the carrier so as to cause a circulation of the liquid within the carrier to refresh the liquid present in the carrier in an optimal way. In this way it is prevented to give the alga the opportunity to flourish well and to stimulate its growing which will adversely effects the intended grow of plants or vegetables.

In an embodiment, the nozzle is oriented transverse to one of the raised edges of the carrier. In this way, the flow of the liquid is, when colliding with the raised wall of the carrier, divided in two opposite directions parallel with the raised wall to disperse through the carrier and conveying the alga from most positions of the carrier.

In an embodiment, the nozzle is locating in a corner portion of the carrier. In this way, the flow of the liquid is directed to a remote portion of the carrier, causing the liquid being extracted from most positions of the carrier to flow to the opening for discharge.

In an embodiment, the carrier is elongated along its longitudinal direction and wherein the longitudinal direction of the carrier is substantially transverse to the longitudinal direction of the discharge duct. In this way, the system is capable to be used in a piping system which is efficient in accommodating space in a warehouse or greenhouse in horticulture.

In an embodiment, the edge around the opening is provided with a raised portion so as to define a level of a liquid surface when the carrier is loaded with the liquid. In this way, the top part of the raised portion of the edge around the opening defines the level of liquid required to keep the root of the plant or vegetable to be cultivated above this level.

In an embodiment, the raised portion of the edge around the opening is adjustable in height. In this way, the top part of the raised portion of the edge around the opening can be adjusted to a desired level of liquid required for a root of a specific plant or vegetable to be cultivated above this level.

In an embodiment, the carrier is rotationally connected on the frame so as the carrier to operate from a steady position wherein the carrier is resting on the frame, to a slanting position wherein the carrier is emptied from the liquid. In this way, the carrier may be emptied by slanting the carrier along a first axis so as to empty the carrier via the opening, thereby causing the carrier to get ready for transport away from the frame, without the liquid splashing to the raised edges extending circumferentially along the bottom to form a container for holding a liquid for cultivating plants or vegetables.

In an embodiment, the opening is arranged at a first position locating near one end along the longitudinal direction of the carrier, and wherein a further opening is arranged at a second position locating near a second end along the longitudinal direction of the carrier which is opposite to the first end. In this way, the carrier may be emptied by slanting the carrier along a first axis so as to empty the carrier via the opening and by slanting the carrier along a second axis so as to empty the carrier via the further opening thereby causing a faster process to empty the carrier from the liquid.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, the drawings show aspects of one or more embodiments of the invention. However, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown in the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an perspective view on a system according to the invention, the figure depicting a carrier, a frame, a supply duct, a discharge duct, a sprayer device;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view from FIG. 1 of a portion of the carrier wherein the sprayer device is arranged;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged depiction of the supply duct, the discharge duct, the sprayer device of the system according to the invention;

FIG. 4 is an perspective view on the system according to the invention wherein the carrier contains a layer of liquid;

FIG. 5 is an perspective view on the system according to the invention wherein the carrier is slanting so as to at least partly discharge the liquid contained in the carrier according to FIG. 4.

It should be noted that items which have the same reference numbers in different figures, have the same structural features and the same functions, or are the same signals. Where the function and/or structure of such item has been explained, there is no necessity for repeated explanation thereof in the detailed description.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a system 1 according to the invention, the system 1 configured for cultivating plants or vegetables. The plants or vegetables, which are not shown in the figures, may be disposed on trays, which are not shown in the figures either, to be disposed in a carrier 2. The carrier is used for holding a layer of a liquid, such as water optionally provided with ingredients to stimulate cultivating of plants or vegetables. Such carrier 2 form a container for holding one or more trays in which the plants or vegetables are locating, the trays resting on the bottom 21 of the carrier 2 or floating on the water surface. To achieve the best cultivating conditions, a root portion of the plant or vegetable is growing out of a ball of earth needs to be locating above the water surface at a constant distance.

The carrier 2 for holding the trays is configured to accommodate the plants or vegetables to be cultivated, the carrier 2 having an interior formed by a bottom 21 and raised edges 22, 23, 24, 25 extending circumferentially along the bottom 21 to form a container for holding a liquid Q for cultivating plants or vegetables. The carrier 2 is supported on a frame 3, which is, in this example formed by a kind of machine bed locating and disposed in a space of a warehouse or a greenhouse in horticulture where the system 1 may be installed.

Referring to FIG. 2, an opening 20 is arranged in the bottom 21 of the carrier 2 to discharge the liquid Q present in the carrier 2 during operation. The opening 20 is formed by its edge 29, the opening 20 allowing a clearance 20 between a sprayer device 4 and the edge 29 so as to discharge the liquid Q via the opening 20 towards the discharge duct 6.

To provide the carrier 2 with the liquid, a supply duct 5 is arranged for supplying the liquid Q towards the carrier 2. The supply duct 5 is arranged at least partly under the carrier 2. The sprayer device 4 is at one end of it fluidly connected to the supply duct 5 to receive the liquid Q from the supply duct 5 and to allow it flow to the other end of the sprayer device 4, at which end the sprayer device 4 is provided with a nozzle 40 to direct a flow of liquid to the interior of the carrier 2. Referring to FIG. 3, the sprayer device is oriented substantially vertical so as to allow the carrier 2 to be moved along the sprayer device 4 when placing the carrier 2 on the frame 3. The supply duct 5 is oriented substantially horizontal so that the sprayer device 4 is substantially transverse to the supply duct 5.

FIG. 2 shows the sprayer device 4 extending through the opening 20 of the carrier 2, the nozzle 40 protruding into the interior of the carrier 2 when the carrier 2 is positioned on the frame 3. The discharge duct 6 is arranged partly under the opening 20. The discharge duct 6 has an open top 69 at least at a portion of it locating under the opening 20 for receiving discharged liquid Q from the carrier 2 flowing through the opening 20. It will be understood that the discharge duct 6 is arranged slightly slanting to let the liquid Q flow in the direction for discharging the liquid Q.

The supply duct 5 and the discharge duct 6 are, from the opening 20 and along at least a portion along their longitudinal direction L, arranged parallel to each other. The supply duct 5 extends over the discharge duct 6 so as the discharge duct 6 to receive the liquid Q partly flowing, from the opening 20, along the sprayer device 4 and/or along an outer circumferential wall of the supply duct 5.

The nozzle 40 is oriented in such a way as to direct a flow of liquid Q from the supply duct 5 to an exterior side of the sprayer device 4, the flow of liquid Q being substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction L of the discharge duct 6. In this way, the flow of liquid Q is falling into the discharge duct 6 when the carrier 2 is absent. In case the carrier 2 is placed on the frame 3, the flow of liquid Q is falling into the carrier 2 to supply a refreshment of the liquid Q to circulate through the carrier 2. In this example, the nozzle 40 is oriented transverse to one 25 of the raised edges 22, 23, 24, 25 of the carrier 2. When liquid Q is supplied to the carrier 2, the liquid Q will be splashed against the raised edges 22, 23, 24, 25 of the carrier 2 causing a system of flows of liquid Q circulating through the carrier 2, the flow ending up at the opening 20 to discharge the liquid Q.

In the figures, the carrier 2 is elongated along its longitudinal direction and wherein the longitudinal direction of the carrier 2 is substantially transverse to the longitudinal direction L of the discharge duct 6. This arrangement causes a piping system wherein the distances for the pipes are minimal.

FIG. 4 shows the carrier 2 containing the liquid Q. The top surface of the layer of liquid Q is flush with the top portion of the edge 29 forming the opening 20. To determine a thickness of the top surface of the layer of liquid Q, the raised portion 28 of the edge 29 around the opening 20 is adjustable in height. In an example, the raised portion 28 of the edge 29 is provided with a thread and the bottom 21 of the carrier 2 is provided with a further thread cooperating with the thread of the raised portion 28 of the edge 29, so as to adjust a height of the raised portion 28 of the edge 29 with respect to the bottom 21 of the carrier 2.

As long as the carrier 2 is used to operate in a steady position wherein the carrier is resting on the frame, the plants or vegetables are locating near to the layer of liquid Q for the growing process. As soon as the carrier 2 needs to be conveyed to an other location in the greenhouse, the liquid Q does not allow a proper conveyance since it will splash against the raised edges 22, 23, 24, 25 of the carrier 2. FIG. 5 depicts the carrier 2 which is slightly tilted with respect to the frame 3 to cause the top portion of the layer of liquid Q to flow over the top portion of the edge 29 forming the opening 20.

To facilitate a slanting orientation of the carrier 2 with respect to the frame 3, the carrier 2 is rotationally connected on the frame 3 so as to operate the carrier 2 from a steady position wherein the carrier 2 is resting on the frame 3, to a slanting position wherein the carrier 2 is emptied from the liquid Q. In an alternative embodiment, the opening 20 is arranged at a first position locating near one end 24 along the longitudinal direction of the carrier 2, and wherein a further opening, which is not shown, is arranged at a second position locating near a second end 22 along the longitudinal direction of the carrier 2 which is opposite to the first end 24.

It should be noted that the above-mentioned embodiments illustrate rather than limit the invention, and that those skilled in the art will be able to design many alternative embodiments.

In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. Use of the verb “comprise” and its conjugates does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those stated in a claim. The article “a” or “an” preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. The invention may be implemented by means of hardware comprising several distinct elements, and by means of a suitably programmed computer. In the device claim enumerating several means, several of these means may be embodied by one and the same item of hardware. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. 

1. A system (1) for cultivating plants or vegetables, the system (1) comprising: a carrier (2) for holding trays accommodating the plants or vegetables to be cultivated, the carrier (2) having an interior formed by a bottom (21) and raised edges extending circumferentially along the bottom (21) to form a container for holding a liquid (Q) for cultivating plants or vegetables, and an opening (20) arranged at the bottom (21); a frame (3) to support the carrier (2); a supply duct (5) for supplying the liquid (Q) towards the carrier (2), the supply duct (5) arranged at least partly under the carrier (2); a sprayer device (4) which is at one end (49) fluidly connected to the supply duct (5) and which is at the other provided with a nozzle (40) to direct a flow of liquid (Q) to the interior of the carrier (2); wherein the sprayer device (4) is arranged through the opening (20) of the carrier (2), the nozzle (40) protruding into the interior of the carrier (2) when the carrier (2) is positioned on the frame (3).
 2. The system (1) according to claim 1, wherein a discharge duct (6) is arranged partly locating under the opening (20), the discharge duct (6) having an open top (69) at least at a portion of it locating under the opening (20) for receiving discharged liquid (Q) from the carrier (2) flowing through the opening (20), the opening (20) being confined by its edge (29), the opening (20) allowing a clearance between the sprayer device (4) and the edge (29) so as to discharge the liquid (Q) via the opening (20) towards the discharge duct (6).
 3. The system (1) according to claim 2, wherein the supply duct (5) and the discharge duct (6) are, from the opening (20) and along at least a portion along their longitudinal direction, arranged parallel to each other, the supply duct (5) extending over the discharge duct (6) so as the discharge duct (6) to receive the liquid (Q) from the opening (20).
 4. The system (1) according to claim 2, wherein the nozzle (40) is oriented in such a way as to direct a flow of liquid (Q) from the supply duct (5) to an exterior side of the sprayer device (4), the flow of liquid (Q) being substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the discharge duct (6), so as to cause the flow of liquid (Q) falling into the discharge duct (6) when the carrier (2) is absent and so as to cause the flow of liquid (Q) falling into the carrier (2) when the carrier (2) is present on the frame (3).
 5. The system (1) according to claim 2, wherein the nozzle (40) is oriented in such a way with respect to the carrier (2) so as to cause a circulation of the liquid (Q) within the carrier (2) to refresh the liquid (Q) present in the carrier (2) in an optimal way.
 6. The system (1) according to claim 2, wherein the nozzle (40) is oriented transverse to one of the raised edges of the carrier (2).
 7. The system (1) according to claim 2, wherein the nozzle (40) is locating in a corner portion of the carrier (2).
 8. The system (1) according to claim 2, wherein the carrier (2) is elongated along its longitudinal direction and wherein the longitudinal direction of the carrier (2) is substantially transverse to the longitudinal direction of the discharge duct (6).
 9. The system (1) according to claim 2, wherein the edge (29) around the opening (20) is provided with a raised portion (28) so as to define a level of a liquid (Q) surface when the carrier (2) is loaded with the liquid (Q).
 10. The system (1) according to claim 2, wherein the raised portion (28) of the edge (29) around the opening (20) is adjustable in height.
 11. The system (1) according to claim 9, wherein the carrier (2) is rotationally connected on the frame (3) so as the carrier (2) to operate from a steady position wherein the carrier (2) is resting on the frame (3), to a slanting position wherein the carrier (2) is emptied from the liquid (Q).
 12. The system (1) according to claim 2, wherein the opening (20) is arranged at a first position locating near one end along the longitudinal direction of the carrier (2), and wherein a further opening is arranged at a second position locating near a second end along the longitudinal direction of the carrier (2) which is opposite to the first end. 